Established in 1903, Estate Argyros is currently the largest private owner of vineyards in Santorini.
Based in Episkopi Santorini, they own 42ha of ungrafted, original rootstock, phylloxera safe vineyards. The vines average 70 years old, they include some of the oldest on the island at over 200 years old.
Although multiple generations of Argyros made fine wines from top quality vineyards, it was Yiannis Argyros that propelled the estate into the world’s wine producing elite. Yiannis was instrumental in proving that the dry Assyrtikos of Santorini can be sublime and age worthy.
Matthaios (Matthew) Argyros, son of Yiannis, is the fourth generation of wine growers and is currently at the helm of Estate Argyros. He has been the driving force behind the establishment of the new winery and the further acquisition of vineyard land.
The vineyards of Santorini are famous for the basket shaped vines, a highly specific training system found nowhere else. Koulouri is a low bush vine training system, where the canes are woven into small bracelet-like shapes hanging vertical to the ground.
The vast majority of the Argyros Estate vines is trained in Koulouri, since its architecture allows for better control over the canopy, a finer balance between fruit and vegetation hence better fruit quality.
Santorini Assyrtiko 2020
The most important bottling of the estate, this wine the essence of what Estate Argyros stands for. Meticulously selected parcels of fruit, with vine age exceeding a century, from top quality areas of the island, this wine is fermented in stainless steel at cool temperatures and aged for a further two months in tank on fine lees. This wine displays purity & racyness without excess and will continue to develop for at least a decade.
Cuvée Monsignori 2018
(Old Vine Assyrtiko)
This Cuvee is made using the oldest Assyrtiko vineyards on the property which give minute yields. Fermented, partially uninoculated, in stainless steel, at cool temperatures and aged for ten months in stainless steel tanks on fine lees. A wine of breed, extract and length, that needs about four years in bottle to unfold and can be confidently kept for more than a decade after vintage.
“A hint of richness while still having plenty of that freshness. It remains lively and focused, with a big finish. It has finesse and elegance to spare.”
92 Points – Robert Parker
“Fresh, intense aromas of grapefruit peel, limes, oyster shells and a touch of Brie rind. Has great depth and drive with an ethereal lightness and deep mineral energy. It shows tension on the gently smoky finish.” Nominated by Yiannis Karakasis MW & Justin Knock MW.
97 Points – Decanter Wines of the Year 2021
Cuvée Evdemon 2018
(Old Vine Assyrtiko)
A dry, full-bodied white made from ungrafted, ancient vines grown on sandy, volcanic soils in the town of Pyrgos….the oldest on the island.
Biodynamically cultivated, this wine is fermented, partially uninoculated in stainless steel, at cool temperatures and aged for approximately thirty months in stainless steel tanks on fine lees. A quarter of the blend is aged for twelve months in French oak barriques.
“Creamy pear and citrus, acidity seems softer than in the Monsignori.
But the acidity is very high and comes in later on and more like energy than acidity. This really takes hold of your palate, with fruit intensity and precision.”
17.5/20- Jancis Robinson
Cuvee Nykteri 2018
(Old Vine Assyrtiko)
The term ‘Nykteri’ refers to grapes harvested at night.
This is the third member of the Cuvee family of the winery and the spiciest of the three! Overripe grapes and 12 months of oak aging underline the richness and smoky character of Santorini’s Assyrtiko.
The grapes come from vineyards of 150-200 years old from Megalochori and Pyrgos. Harvest is done 20 days later so that the grapes are overripe. The wine is then fermented in 500-litre barrels, barriques, and oak tanks. After fermentation, the wine matures in 12 months in oak barrels and another 12 months in stainless steel tanks, along with its fine wine lees.
A wine of imposing proportions and power.
Vinsanto First Release 2014
The youngest Vinsanto of Estate Argyros, this wine is a strict selection of excessively old Assyrtiko from Aidani and Athiri vineyards in Episkopi, specifically earmarked for this style. The grapes are sun dried for ten days with natural fermentation and three years of ageing takes place in old concrete vats, with additional aging for four years in old wooden vats.
Vinsanto Late Release 2001
The grapes are sun dried for fourteen days with natural fermentation and three years of ageing takes place in old concrete vats, with additional aging for sixteen years in old wooden vats.
An intense wine of breathtaking complexity
